The Defining Role of Environmental Self-Identity among Consumption Values and Behavioral Intention to Consume Organic Food

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Mar 28;16(7):1106. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16071106.

Abstract

Consumption values and self-identity are the essential antecedents of consumer sustainable behavior. By integrating the theory of consumption values and self-identity approach, this research explores the relationship among consumption values (functional, social, conditional, epistemic and emotional), environmental self-identity and the behavioral intention to consume organic food. The data was collected from 406 organic food consumers through a structured questionnaire in Lahore (Pakistan). Using the PLS-SEM approach, we find that conditional value, emotional value, epistemic value, and functional value quality have a significant positive influence on consumers' behavioral intention to consume organic food. We further find that environmental self-identity significantly mediates the structural relationship between consumption values and the behavioral intention to consume organic food. Our results imply that the interventions targeting environmental self-identity are a promising way to promote sustainable consumption behavior. Our findings also have important implications for the development of the organic food market based on consumption values and self-identities.

Keywords: behavioral intention; consumption values; environmental self-identity; organic food.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Consumer Behavior*
  • Emotions
  • Environment*
  • Female
  • Food Preferences
  • Food, Organic*
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pakistan
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Environment*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult